Photo gallery
Ausangate 7 Lakes tour photos
Tour overview
Ausangate 7 Lakes tour at a glance
Seven lakes in shades of turquoise, green and deep blue, at the foot of the glaciers of Ausangate (6,384 m), Cusco's sacred mountain. This day hike loops through alpaca pastures and high wetlands, and ends with an optional soak in the natural hot springs of Pacchanta.
Our Cusco team checks the services, timings and availability for your dates and sends the options in a written quote.
Journey highlights
Highlights of the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour
- Seven glacier lakes in different colors, one after another
- Close views of the Ausangate glaciers
- Alpaca and llama herds of the Pacchanta community
- Natural hot springs at the end of the hike
Detailed itinerary
Ausangate 7 Lakes tour itinerary
Times and services are indicative. Your final schedule is confirmed in your written quote.
Pickup and drive to Pacchanta
We pick you up at your hotel in Cusco and drive across the Vilcanota valley and up past the town of Ocongate to Pacchanta (about 4,300 m), an alpaca-herding community at the foot of Ausangate (6,384 m), the most sacred mountain of Cusco. Breakfast is served in the village.
The seven lakes loop
The loop climbs gently from Pacchanta toward the glaciers. One by one you pass seven lakes, each a different color depending on its depth, sediment and minerals, from milky turquoise and emerald green to deep blue, with alpacas and llamas grazing along the shores. Above them rise the ice walls and hanging glaciers of Ausangate. Your guide sets a slow, steady pace, carries emergency oxygen and makes a traditional offering to the mountain at one of the lakes.
Pacchanta hot springs
Back in Pacchanta, you can relax in the natural hot springs, with a view of the glaciers you have just walked under. Bring a swimsuit and a towel.
Lunch and return to Cusco
Lunch is served before the drive back across the valley to your hotel in Cusco.
What's included
What's included in the Ausangate 7 Lakes tour
Included
- hotel pickup and drop-off
- transport
- professional guide
- breakfast and lunch
- 7 Lakes community entrance fee
- emergency oxygen and first-aid kit
Not included
- Pacchanta hot springs entrance (a small fee in cash)
- horse rental (paid locally)
- tips
Plan with confidence
Duration, difficulty and price
Good to know
Good to know before you go
Planning guides
Planning guides
What to bring
What to pack
- Warm layers, down jacket, hat and gloves
- Rain jacket
- Hiking shoes
- Sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen
- Swimsuit and towel
- 1.5 liters of water
- Snacks
- Cash in soles
Carry the original passport used to book. Check your confirmed ticket and operator instructions for current baggage and site rules.
Frequently asked questions
Ausangate 7 Lakes tour FAQs
Is it harder than Rainbow Mountain?
The hike is longer, but the climbs are gentler. Both reach high altitude, so acclimatization matters more than fitness.
Can I do it on horseback?
Horses can be hired in Pacchanta for part of the route, paid locally.
Is it part of the Ausangate trek?
The lakes are close to the Ausangate circuit, but this day tour is a separate, shorter loop from Pacchanta. For the full trek, see our Ausangate Trek & Rainbow Mountain 4 Days.
How high is the 7 Lakes hike?
The loop starts in Pacchanta, at about 4,300 m, and reaches about 4,700 m. It is one of the highest day hikes near Cusco, so spend at least 2–3 days in Cusco first.
How long is the hike?
About 8–10 km in 4–5 hours, on a loop that climbs gently from Pacchanta toward the glaciers of Ausangate, passing seven lakes of different colors.
Are the Pacchanta hot springs included?
You stop at the hot springs after the hike, but the entrance is a small fee paid in cash. Bring a swimsuit and a towel.
What time does the tour start and finish?
Pickup is at 4:00–4:30 am, with about 3.5 hours of driving each way. You are back at your Cusco hotel around 6:30 pm. Breakfast and lunch are included.
Tripadvisor reviews
What travelers say about our team
Reviews of Traveleez Peru SAC, the operator of Machu-Picchu.tours, on our Tripadvisor profile Machu Picchu by Traveleez.
★★★★★
Highschool’s travel buddies to Machu Picchu
“Traveleez team are so helpful in assisting our needs with their prompt response.”
★★★★★
Incredible experience
“An unforgettable experience. Super punctual, good transportation, and very good treatment.”
Translated from Spanish
★★★★★
Highly recommended
“This agency is super responsive, unlike others that can take weeks to get back to you.”
